tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792745986850454057.post5358752300057510725..comments2023-06-01T08:48:30.536-07:00Comments on BIKE WITH JACKIE: How to stay sane this holiday seasonAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09505661913107994459noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792745986850454057.post-86743641514190979872009-12-11T21:27:01.538-08:002009-12-11T21:27:01.538-08:00During the holidays the thing I have to remember t...During the holidays the thing I have to remember to remember is that these special days/weeks are really just like all days/weeks. I need to do all the things I need to do anyway to best care for myself--and probably even more so!Meredith Resnick - The Writer's [Inner] Journeyhttp://writersinnerjourney.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792745986850454057.post-41610590658111266452009-12-10T06:05:21.564-08:002009-12-10T06:05:21.564-08:00Stephanie,
I used to be that family. Our holidays...Stephanie,<br /><br />I used to be that family. Our holidays were ridiculous when the kids lived at home, and even into their college years. Our tree would be overflowing with presents. Literally overflowing. It was fun to give, and we all loved opening the gifts. But the thing I love most about this recession is that it's forced us to get real, to be more picky about what you want out of life. And, really, I just want to be able to spend time with my kids. One lives out of town, and I see him and my grandbaby only maybe three times a year. My daughter, who lives nearby, is busy with her life and work. So when we can just get an evening together, or a long weekend, that's all I really need. No present in a box with a pretty bow could beat that.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09505661913107994459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792745986850454057.post-77388431588190425352009-12-09T22:09:47.605-08:002009-12-09T22:09:47.605-08:00I wish my family understood that it wasn't all...I wish my family understood that it wasn't all about $$, but every year they spend too much on things we don't need. Sigh.Stephanie Stiavettihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00421316196313468027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792745986850454057.post-76354595413403413302009-12-09T16:36:02.646-08:002009-12-09T16:36:02.646-08:00Brette, that's so smart. Some men are just ter...Brette, that's so smart. Some men are just terrible at gift-giving. Not a slight to the partner, just the way they are. Best not to try to change them but to figure out how to make that work for you. You did that. Good for you!<br /><br />Kerry, I love that you make your own gifts. I have done that in years past. It's not only fun and creative but meaningful and generally well-received.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09505661913107994459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792745986850454057.post-28032723531546905312009-12-09T09:55:18.183-08:002009-12-09T09:55:18.183-08:00I tend to just smile at all the commercial things ...I tend to just smile at all the commercial things and regard them as part of the celebration -- a part that I don't have to take part in. We make our gifts, and I also do reading and prayers in connection with the the season of Advent, the four weeks leading up to Christmas, which helps keep me centered on the main ideas of the season.<br />And of course, there is always the music.Kerry Dexterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16024934410964947306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792745986850454057.post-33059640344657125892009-12-09T07:07:44.555-08:002009-12-09T07:07:44.555-08:00My sanity saver is a bit weird. If I see things th...My sanity saver is a bit weird. If I see things that I like for myself, I buy them. This has alleviated much marital stress. My husband is not a shopper. In the past I would see something I really wanted, tell him about it and then it would not appear under the tree b/c he didn't get there in time, forgot, or just didn't understand why I wanted it. Sigh. So now I buy the things I want and have no expectations for him for Christmas morning (for the most part). It's made things a lot easier for both of us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792745986850454057.post-51449917801833872452009-12-07T08:37:40.700-08:002009-12-07T08:37:40.700-08:00It is difficult to be around family during the hol...It is difficult to be around family during the holidays, Alexandra. That's what I'd prefer above all else. Wish I were as good about collecting present all year as you are. I have no patience for that. I want to give as soon as I get. Couldn't wait a whole year! :-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09505661913107994459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792745986850454057.post-87330658756910781252009-12-07T08:04:33.703-08:002009-12-07T08:04:33.703-08:00I used to live in France, where Christmas was not ...I used to live in France, where Christmas was not celebrated so assiduously from a commercial point of view, and I found I missed the American holiday. Now that I'm back, I have discovered the best way to avoid all the commercialism is to simply ignore it. I collect presents all year long, often found in thrift shops. I enjoy the occasional "cookie swap" party, and recent community wreath celebration, which I wrote about in my blog.<br /><br />All I want for Christmas is to be with family, more difficult in the States where people often live so far away from each other ...Alexandra Grabbehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16290396567494638238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792745986850454057.post-56719532960853940382009-12-07T06:02:38.802-08:002009-12-07T06:02:38.802-08:00Ha! Kerri, family dysfunction is NOT a sanity save...Ha! Kerri, family dysfunction is NOT a sanity saver. LOL.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09505661913107994459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792745986850454057.post-15207103949232224282009-12-07T05:37:35.517-08:002009-12-07T05:37:35.517-08:00Now that we're in a much smaller house, I'...Now that we're in a much smaller house, I'm limited inside to my decorating and really, I think it feels more homey than when I had the big tree and all of that stuff out. We also don't have a choice with the family, as we can't go home this year, but there are some I quit celebrating with a long time ago anyway - just to preserve my own sanity. I guess there's a reason "Christmas Vacation" is our favorite holiday movie. I think that the family dysfunction there is more realistic!Kerri Fivecoat-Campbellhttp://www.livinglargeinourlittlehouse.comnoreply@blogger.com